Mobile communication device and method for managing operation of a plurality of actuators

ABSTRACT

A Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC) system is provided. The system includes an actuator and a sensor system. The actuator includes an electric motor, a controller connected to the electric motor and a first close range radio communication interface. The sensor system includes one or more sensors, and a second close range radio communication interface. The second close range radio communication interface is connected to the one or more sensors and establishes a local wireless communication link to the actuator via the first close range radio communication interface, and transmits operational values measured by the one or more sensors via the local wireless communication link to the actuator. The controller is connected to the first close range radio communication interface and receives the operational values via the local wireless communication link and controls operation of the actuator&#39;s electric motor in accordance with the operational values.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/533,335 filed Aug. 6, 2019, which is a Divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/039,538 filed May 26, 2016, which is a NationalStage of International Application No. PCT/EP2014/003214 filed Dec. 3,2014, claiming priority based on Swiss Patent Application No. 02088/13filed Dec. 17, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile communication device and amethod for managing operation of a plurality of actuators. Specifically,the present invention relates to a mobile communication device for datacommunication in a mobile radio communication network, such as acellular telephone network or a wireless local area network (WLAN), anda method using the mobile communication device for managing theoperation of a plurality of actuators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In addition to an electric motor, actuators are typically provided witha controller having a processing unit and a data store for storingconfiguration data for operating the actuator and for recordingoperation-related data by the actuator. In the field of Heating,Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC), the electric motor iscoupled to a valve or damper for controlling the flow of a fluid such aswater or air. The configuration data includes configuration parameterssuch as motor speed, closing time, opening time, etc. Theoperation-related data includes values such as number of cycles, numberof movements, maximum travel angle, minimum travel angle, actuatormalfunctions and error conditions, etc. In HVAC applications, thecontroller is connected to sensors such as a flow sensor, a pressuresensor, one or more temperature sensors, a rotation sensor, a positionsensor, etc., and the configuration data further includes configurationparameters such as a target value of volume flow, a set value ofaltitude for adjusting the measurement of a flow sensor, etc. Moreover,a section of the data store further has stored therein program code forcontrolling the processing unit. In HVAC applications, the program codeincludes various control algorithms for controlling the motor to openand close an orifice of the valve or damper to regulate the flow offluid, e.g. with regards to differential pressure, room temperature,flow of energy, etc. Although the storing of configuration data, programcode, and/or operation-related data would make possible flexiblemanagement and operation of such actuators, the actual management ofoperation of these actuators is typically not as advanced as it couldbe, because the actuators are not connected (wired) to a communicationnetwork. Thus, it would be desirable to improve the actual management ofoperation of actuators, whereby the term “management of operation” isnot limited to defining the operation of individual actuators but alsoincludes controlling and monitoring operation of a plurality ofactuators.

US 2010/0261465 describes methods and systems for enabling interactionsbetween a cell phone and devices, such as a thermostat, a parking meter,or a hotel alarm clock. According to US 2010/0261465 the cell phonedetermines the identity of the device by using the cell phone's camerato obtain identifier information, such as a digital watermark or a barcode, by employing WiFi (WLAN) emissions from the device, e.g. thedevice's MAC identifier, by using an RFID chip, or a Bluetoothidentifier from a Bluetooth short range wireless broadcast. Based on theidentifier information, a server transmits to the cellular phone agraphical user interface that enables the user to control the devicefrom the cellular phone.

US 2009/0219145 describes a device for monitoring electrical devices ina building, such as lights, power outlets, heating apparatus, computers,DVD players, projectors, HVAC devices such as variable air volumedevices or fan coil units, thermostats, security system components, orother devices installed in a building. The electrical devices havedevice information including the physical location of the device withrespect to the building. The devices include a communication module forcommunicating the location and power consumption via a wired or awireless communication network to a system controller, e.g. implementedon a server. Some electrical devices are connected wirelessly through agateway node to a wired communication network.

US 2012/0178431 describes a proximity-enabled remote control method.Devices that can be controlled remotely are tagged by placing an NFCelement physically near the device or attaching the NFC element to thedevice. Depending on device identification obtained from the NFCelement, a remote control user interface is loaded into a mobile device.Commands to control the respective device are entered by a user throughthe remote control user interface. The mobile device communicates theuser commands wirelessly to a remote computer that is remote andphysically separate from the device to be controlled. The remotecomputer communicates, e.g. via the Internet, information related to theuser command to an object controller for the device. The objectcontroller makes the device perform an action in response to the usercommand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a mobile communicationdevice and a method for managing operation of a plurality of actuators,which mobile communication device and method do not have at least someof the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide a mobile communication device and amethod for managing, including monitoring, operation of a plurality ofactuators which are not necessarily wired to a communication network.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved throughthe features of the independent claims. In addition, furtheradvantageous embodiments follow from the dependent claims and thedescription.

A mobile communication device comprises a mobile radio communicationmodule configured for data communication in a mobile radio communicationnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network or a WLAN.

According to the present invention, the above-mentioned objects areparticularly achieved in that, in addition to the mobile radiocommunication module, the mobile communication device further comprisesa close range radio communication module, configured to establish alocal communication link to an actuator via a close range radiocommunication interface that is connected to the actuator and located incommunication range of the close range radio communication module. Themobile communication device further comprises a processing unit,connected to the mobile radio communication module and the close rangeradio communication module, and configured to exchange location-specificactuator data between a data store of the actuator and with a remotedata server via the local communication link and the mobile radiocommunication network, the contents of the location-specific actuatordata being dependent on identification information associated with thelocal communication link to the actuator. Thus, location-specificactuator data is defined based on a local, on-site connectionestablished by the mobile communication device via a close range radiocommunication interface to an actuator, making it possible, e.g. in theremote server, to identify information relevant for the particularactuator (and thus its location) or associate actuator information withthe particular actuator (and thus its location), respectively.

In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured to determineinterface identification information, which identifies the close rangeradio communication interface associated with the local communicationlink, and to exchange the location-specific actuator data defined by theinterface identification information. Thus, based on the local, on-siteconnection, it is possible to determine location-specific actuator datarelevant for or assignable to one or more actuators, which are connectedto the close range radio communication interface identified by theinterface identification information.

In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured to determineactuator identification information, which identifies the actuatorassociated with the local communication link, and to exchangelocation-specific actuator data defined by the actuator identificationinformation. Thus, based on the local, on-site connection, it ispossible to determine location-specific actuator data relevant for orassignable to the actuator which is identified by the actuatoridentification information.

In another embodiment, the close range radio communication module isfurther configured to establish automatically the local communicationlink to the close range radio communication interface upon the closerange radio communication interface being located in communication rangeof the close range radio communication module.

In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured to determineactuator identification information of one or more actuators connectedto the close range radio communication interface, to show on a displayscreen the actuator identification information by displayingidentification numbers of the actuators, descriptive names of theactuators, visual representations of the actuators, location indicationof the actuators, a building or floor plan including markings of theactuators, and/or a wiring plan including markings of the actuators.Thus, based on the local, on-site connection, it is possible to indicateto a user the actuators located in the vicinity and indicate theirlocation.

In another embodiment, the processing unit is further configured toreceive from a user selection instructions for selecting at least one ofthe actuators connected to the close range radio communicationinterface, and to establish the local communication link via the closerange radio communication interface to the at least one actuator definedby the selection instructions.

In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured to show abuilding or floor plan on a display screen, and to indicate on thebuilding or floor plan a particular actuator dependent on theidentification information associated with the local communication linkto the actuator. Thus, based on the local, on-site connection, it ispossible to indicate to a user the location of an actuator in thevicinity.

In another embodiment, the processing unit is further configured toreceive from the remote data server location-specific actuator data viathe mobile radio communication network, and to transfer thelocation-specific actuator data via the local communication link to theactuator, the location-specific actuator data including program code forthe actuator, configuration parameters for the actuator, and/or a valueof altitude, e.g. an altitude value for a flow or pressure sensorconnected to the actuator or its controller, respectively. Thus, usingthe local, on-site connection, it is possible to configure and/orprogram an actuator and devices connected to the actuator or itscontroller, respectively.

In an embodiment, the processing unit is further configured to retrievethe location-specific actuator data via the local communication linkfrom the actuator, and to transfer the location-specific actuator datavia the mobile radio communication network to the remote data server.The location-specific actuator data includes operation-related datarecorded by the actuator and/or configuration data stored in theactuator. The operation-related actuator data indicates for the actuatorthe number of cycles, the number of movements, the maximum travel angle,the minimum travel angle, the current position, the maximum position,the minimum position, current sensor values, a combination of sensorvalues, the state of an energy storage element of the actuator, the typeof valve connected to the actuator, the Kvs value of the valve,malfunction information of the actuator and/or an altitude value storedfor a flow or pressure sensor connected to the actuator or itscontroller, respectively. Thus, using the local, on-site connection, itis possible to collect operation-related data and/or configuration datafrom an actuator and devices connected to the actuator or itscontroller, respectively.

In addition to the mobile communication device outlined above, thepresent invention also relates to a method of managing operation of aplurality of actuators, whereby the method comprises: establishing alocal communication link from a mobile communication device to one ofthe actuators via a close range radio communication interface that isconnected to the actuator and located in communication range of a closerange radio communication module of the mobile communication device;determining by a processing unit of the mobile communication deviceidentification information associated with the local communication link;and exchanging location-specific actuator data by the mobilecommunication device between a data store of the actuator and a remotedata server via the local communication link and a mobile radiocommunication network, the contents of the location-specific actuatordata being dependent on the identification information associated withthe local communication link to the actuator.

In addition to the mobile the communication device and the method ofmanaging operation of a plurality of actuators, the present inventionalso relates to a computer program product comprising a non-transientcomputer readable medium having stored thereon computer program code.The computer program code is configured to direct a processor of amobile communication device, which comprises a mobile radiocommunication module, connected to the processor and configured for datacommunication in a mobile radio communication network, and, in additionto the mobile radio communication module, a close range radiocommunication module, connected to the processor and configured toestablish a local communication link to an actuator via a close rangeradio communication interface that is connected to the actuator andlocated in communication range of the close range radio communicationmodule. The computer program code is configured to direct the processorof the mobile communication device such that the processor exchangeslocation-specific actuator data between a data store of the actuator anda remote data server via the local communication link and the mobileradio communication network, the contents of the location-specificactuator data being dependent on identification information associatedwith the local communication link to the actuator.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a display terminalcomprising a display screen, a communication bus interface configured toconnect the display terminal to one or more actuators via acommunication bus, a wireless communication interface configured toexchange data with a mobile communication device, and a processing unitconnected to the communication bus interface and the wirelesscommunication interface, whereby the processing unit is configured toshow on the display screen identification information, which identifiesa particular actuator that is connected to the communication bus, and toperform at least one of:

transferring via the wireless communication interface to the mobilecommunication device, while the identification information of theparticular actuator is shown on the display screen, actuator datareceived from the particular actuator, and transferring configurationdata, received from the mobile communication device while theidentification information of the particular actuator is shown on thedisplay screen, via the communication bus to the particular actuator.

In a variant of the further aspect, the processing unit is furtherconfigured to show on the display screen the identification informationof a particular actuator together with an error indication, uponreceiving an error message from the particular actuator, to extractdetailed error information from the error message, and to transfer thedetailed error information to the mobile communication device, upondetection of the mobile communication device by the wirelesscommunication interface while the identification information of theparticular actuator is shown on the display screen.

In another variant of the further aspect, the processing unit is furtherconfigured to show on the display screen the identification informationof a particular actuator, upon receiving a selection instruction for theparticular actuator, and to transfer to the particular actuator theconfiguration data received from the mobile communication device whilethe identification information of the particular actuator is shown onthe display screen.

In a variant of the further aspect, the processing unit is furtherconfigured to show on the display screen a building or floor plan whichillustrates the location of one or more actuators that are connected tothe communication bus, to receive from a user a selection instructionfor one of the locations via the wireless communication interface ordata entry elements of the display terminal, and to show on the displayscreen the identification information of the particular actuator that islocated at the selected location.

In another variant of the further aspect, the processing unit is furtherconfigured to receive from actuators connected to the communication busoperation-related actuator data, the operation-related actuator dataindicating for a particular actuator the number of cycles, the number ofmovements, maximum travel angle, minimum travel angle, the currentposition, the maximum position, the minimum position, current sensorvalues, a combination of sensor values, the state of an energy storageelement of the actuator, the type of valve connected to the actuator,the Kvs value of the valve, and/or an altitude value stored for a flowor pressure sensor connected to the actuator or its controller,respectively, and to transfer the operation-related actuator data viathe wireless communication interface to the mobile communication device.

In a variant of the further aspect, the processing unit is furtherconfigured to receive from the mobile communication device configurationdata for the particular actuator via the wireless communicationinterface, while the identification information of the particularactuator is shown on the display screen, and to transfer theconfiguration data via the communication bus to the particular actuator,the configuration data including program code for the actuator,configuration parameters for the actuator, and/or a value of altitude,e.g. an altitude value for a flow or pressure sensor connected to theactuator or its controller, respectively.

In yet a further aspect, the invention relates to an HVAC system thatcomprises an actuator and a sensor system. The actuator comprises anelectric motor and a controller connected to the electric motor. Thesensor system comprises at least one sensor configured to measure anoperational value of the HVAC system. The sensor system furthercomprises a close range radio communication interface that is connectedto the sensor and configured to establish a local communication link tothe actuator via a close range radio communication interface of theactuator. The close range radio communication interface is furtherconfigured to transmit operational values measured by the sensor via thelocal communication link to the actuator. The controller of the actuatoris connected to the actuator's close range radio communication interfaceand configured to receive the operational values from the sensor via thelocal communication link and to control operation of the actuator'selectric motor in accordance with the operational values received fromthe sensor.

In another variant of the yet further aspect, the sensor systemcomprises a controller connected to the sensor and configured togenerate actuator control signals in accordance with the operationalvalues measured by the sensor. The controller is further configured totransmit the control signals via the local communication link to theactuator. The actuator is configured to receive the actuator controlsignals via the local communication link and to control operation of theactuator's electric motor in accordance with the received actuatorcontrol signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained in more detail, by way ofexample, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a mobilecommunication device that is arranged on-site with one or more actuatorsand configured for close range radio communication with one of theseactuators.

FIG. 2: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a mobilecommunication device that is arranged on-site with one or more actuatorsand configured for close range radio communication with a displayterminal connected to the actuators.

FIG. 3: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically mobilecommunication devices that are arranged on-site with one or moreactuators and configured for close range radio communication with one ofthese actuators and/or with a display terminal connected to theactuators.

FIG. 4: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a mobilecommunication device that is provided with a mobile radio communicationmodule, for data communication in a mobile radio communication network,and a close range radio communication module, for establishing a localcommunication link to an on-site actuator.

FIG. 5: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a displayterminal that is provided with a close range radio communicationinterface, for data communication with a mobile communication device,and a communication bus interface for data communication with one ormore actuators via a communication bus.

FIG. 6: shows a data flow diagram illustrating schematically the dataflow between a data server, a mobile device, and an actuator via adirect local communication link.

FIG. 7: shows a data flow diagram illustrating schematically the dataflow between a data server, a mobile device, and an actuator via anindirect local communication link through a display terminal.

FIG. 8: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a mobilecommunication device that is arranged on-site with an actuator that isprovided with an antenna extension for close range radio communicationwith the mobile communication device.

FIG. 8a : shows a block diagram illustrating schematically an antennaextension system that comprises two antenna coils interconnected by anantenna cable.

FIG. 9: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a sensor systemand an actuator that are arranged on-site and in close range radiocommunication.

FIG. 10: shows a block diagram illustrating schematically a gatewaysystem with a close range radio communication module connected to afurther radio communication module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, and 10, reference numeral 2 refers to anoperable mobile communication device. The mobile communication device 2is implemented as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a PDA computer(personal data organizer), a notebook computer, or another computerizedelectronic, portable, mobile communication device.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mobile communication device 2 comprises aprocessing unit 20, a display 21, a mobile radio communication module22, a close range radio communication module 23, a data store 24, e.g.data memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, SSD (SolidState Drive), or other data storage units, and operating elements 25.Depending on the embodiment of the mobile communication device 2, theoperating elements 25 include one or more keys, a keyboard, a touchpad,and/or a touch sensitive screen, which may be implemented as part of thedisplay 21.

In FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 9, reference numeral 1 refers to a displayterminal. For example, the display terminal 1 is implemented as a wallmountable display unit or designed as a desktop unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the display terminal 1 comprises a processingunit 10, a display screen 11, a communication bus interface 12, a closerange radio communication interface 13, a data store 14, e.g. datamemory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, SSD (SolidState Drive), or other data storage units, and operating elements 15.Depending on the embodiment of the display terminal 1, the operatingelements 15 include one or more keys, a keyboard, a touchpad, and/or atouch sensitive screen, which may be implemented as part of the displayscreen 11. In an embodiment, the display terminal 1 is implemented as athermostat and includes a temperature sensor connected to the processingunit 10.

The processing units 10, 20 comprise each one or more operableprocessors and a computer readable medium having stored thereon computerprogram code for controlling the processor(s). For example, the computerprogram code for controlling the processing unit 20 is arranged in anapplet that can be loaded and stored in data store 24 of the mobilecommunication device 2.

The mobile radio communication module 22 is configured for datacommunication via a mobile radio communication network such as a WLANand/or a cellular telephone network, e.g. a GSM network (Global Systemfor Mobile Communication), a UMTS network (Universal Mobile TelephoneSystem), or another mobile radio telephone network. The mobile radiocommunication module 22 is further configured to exchange data with aremote data server 8 via telecommunications network 7 including themobile radio communication network and the Internet.

The data server 8 comprises one or more operable computers with one ormore processors, data and program storage, and databases. The dataserver 8 is configured to receive from the mobile communication device 2via the telecommunications network 7 data requests and data submissions.Specifically, the data server 8 is configured to retrieve from itsdatabases and transmit to the mobile communication device 2 data, inresponse to data requests from the mobile communication device 2, toextract from data submissions received from the mobile communicationdevice 2 data and store the extracted data in its databases, and toprocess the data received from one or more mobile communication devices2 for one or more actuators or locations, respectively, as will beexplained below in more detail.

The close range radio communication module 23 and the close range radiocommunication interface 13, 33 are each configured for wirelessradio-based data communication within a defined close distance range,starting from near field communication, where the communication devicesare brought together so that they touch each other or are in closeproximity to each other, e.g. within a few centimeters or inches, up toshort distance communication, where the communication devices arelocated within a few meters from each other. Specifically, the closerange radio communication module 23 and the close range radiocommunication interface 13, 33 comprise each an NFC (Near FieldCommunication) module, e.g. based on existing RFID standards such asISO/IEC 14443 and ISO/IEC 18092, and/or a Bluetooth communication module(originally defined in IEEE 802.15.1).

The communication bus interface 12 is configured to connect the displayterminal 1 to a communication bus 5 for data communication via thecommunication bus 5. The communication bus 5 is implemented as aparallel or serial electrical or optical wire-based data communicationbus, e.g. an MP-Bus as developed and provided by the applicant.

In FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, reference numeral 9 refers to aparticular site, e.g. a building, a floor or storey in a building, orone or more rooms in a building. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9,and 10, one or more operable actuators 3, 3′ are arranged on the site 9.The actuators 3, 3′ include an electric motor and are connected to anelectrical power source. The actuators 3, 3′ are configured to drivevalves and/or dampers for controlling the flow of fluids, e.g. in anHVAC system. As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 9, at least someactuators 3, 3′ are connected to the communication bus 5 and/orinterconnected by the communication bus 5. As shown in FIG. 9 (but alsoapplicable to actuators 3, 3′ shown or indicated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7,8, 9, and 10), the actuators 3, 3′ comprise a data store 32 accessibleto a controller 34 of the actuator 3 and to the actuator's close rangeradio communication interface 33 or the actuator's communication businterface, respectively. The data store 32 includes data memory such asRAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive),and/or other data storage units. Depending on the embodiment and/orapplication, read and/or write access to the data store 32 and datastored therein is controlled, e.g. based on a cryptographic access keyand/or a password. One skilled in the art will understand that accesscontrol may be executed by a processor of the actuator's controller 34,the actuator's close range radio communication interface 33, and/or theactuator's communication bus interface. In a scenario where multipleactuators' 3, 3′ are interconnected by way of a communication bus 5, theaccess controlling processors are configured to reuse/accept thepassword and/or cryptographic access key for accessing any otheractuator 3, 3′ on the communication bus 5, so that the user is requiredto enter a password just once to access more than one actuators 3, 3′ onthe communication bus 5. In other words, multiple actuators 3, 3′interconnected on communication bus 5, or their controllers orprocessors, respectively, are configured to pass on a user's accesscredentials from one actuator 3, 3′ to another, or inherit accessrights, respectively, from another actuator 3, 3′ (or its controller orprocessor) that checked and verified the user's access credentials.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 8, 9, and 10, at least some actuators 3include a close range radio communication interface 33 for close rangewireless data communication, as described above in the context of themobile communication device 2 and the display terminal 1.

As illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 8, the close rangeradio communication module 23 is configured to establish a localcommunication link 41, 43 to an actuator 3, 3′ via a close range radiocommunication interface 13, 33 that is connected to the actuator 3, 3′and located in communication range of the close range radiocommunication module 23. A local communication link 41, 43 isestablished by:

-   (1) both communication entities, i.e. the mobile communication    device 2 and the actuators 3, 3′, being on-site, i.e. on the site 9;    and-   (2) the close range radio communication module 23 of the mobile    communication device 2 and the close range radio communication    interface 13, 33 that is connected to the actuator 3, 3′ being    located within communication range of each other.

In FIGS. 1, 3, and 8, reference numeral 43 refers to a localcommunication link established directly between the close range radiocommunication module 23 of the mobile communication device 2 and theclose range radio communication interface 33 of the actuator 3 (directlocal communication link 43). The direct local communication link 43 isestablished as a one-to-one wireless communication link between themobile communication device 2 and the actuator 3, without anyintermittent communication bus 5.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, reference numeral 41 refers to a local communicationlink established between the close range radio communication module 23of the mobile communication device 2 and the close range radiocommunication interface 13 of the display terminal 1. The localcommunication link 41 enables an indirect local communication linkbetween the mobile communication device 2 and the actuator 3, 3′ via thedisplay terminal 1 and the communication bus 5. Specifically, the localcommunication link 41 enables a one-to-one indirect local communicationlink between the mobile communication device 2 and a selected one of theactuators 3, 3′ connected to the communication bus 5, or a one-to-manyindirect local communication link between the mobile communicationdevice 2 and a plurality of actuators 3, 3′ connected to thecommunication bus 5.

As illustrated schematically in FIG. 8, in an embodiment the actuator 3is provided with an antenna extension system 300 configured to extendand/or displace the communication range of the actuator's close rangeradio communication interface 33. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.8, the local communication link 43 between the mobile communicationdevice 2 and the actuator 3, described above in the context of FIGS. 1and 3, is established via the antenna extension system 300. The antennaextension system 300 comprises an antenna 301 and an antenna couplingsystem 302. In a wire based embodiment, the antenna coupling system 302comprises an antenna cable and antenna connectors for couplingelectrically the antenna 301 to the actuator's close range radiocommunication interface 33. Typically, the wire based embodiment is usedto extend or displace the actuator's communication range by severalmeters, e.g. 1-20 meters. In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIG.8a , the antenna coupling system 302 comprises a coupling antenna 305,e.g. an antenna coil, for coupling electromagnetically (passively) theantenna extension system 300 to the actuator's close range radiocommunication interface 33. Thus, in this further embodiment, theantenna extension system 300 comprises an antenna cable 306, a firstantenna 301 (e.g. a first antenna coil) connected electrically to oneend of the antenna cable 306, and a second antenna 305 (e.g. a secondantenna coil) connected electrically to the other end of the antennacable 306 and used for electromagnetically coupling the antennaextension system 300 to the actuator's close range radio communicationinterface 33. For example, the coupling antenna 305 is adhered to theactuator 3, on the exterior of its housing in the location of theantenna of the actuator's close range radio communication interface 33.For attaching the coupling antenna 305 to the actuator 3, or to anyother device with a close range radio communication interface 33, thecoupling antenna 305 is fixed to a carrier plate 307, which is provided,for example, with an adhesive under a peel-off foil, and the actuator 3has marking(s) indicating the location(s) of its antenna(s).Alternatively, the antenna coupling system 302 comprises a radiotransceiver system, e.g. based on Bluetooth, configured to establish awireless communication link between the antenna 301 and the actuator'sclose range radio communication interface 33. Typically, the wirelessembodiment is used to extend or displace the actuator's communicationrange by a few meters, e.g. 1-5 meters. In another embodimentillustrated in FIG. 10, the antenna extension system 300 is implementedas a gateway that comprises a close range radio communication module 13,a further second radio communication module 304, and a gateway module303 interconnecting the close range radio communication module 13 andthe radio communication module 304. The close range radio communicationmodule 13 is implemented as the antenna coupling system 302 andconfigured for near field communication (NFC) with the actuator's closerange radio communication interface 33 over a direct wireless localcommunication link 46. The further second radio communication module304, e.g. a WLAN and/or Bluetooth radio communication module, isconnected to the close range radio communication module 13 through thegateway module 303 and has a greater communication range than the closerange radio communication module 13. The gateway module 303 isconfigured to receive data from the actuator's close range radiocommunication interface 33 via the close range radio communicationmodule 13 and to transmit the received data by way of the further secondradio communication module 304 over an extended wireless communicationlink 44 to a mobile or fixed communication device 2, thereby extendingthe communication range of the actuator 3, 3′ beyond the communicationrange of its close range radio communication interface 33. Likewise, inopposite communication direction, the gateway module 303 is configuredto receive data from a mobile or fixed communication device 2, throughthe further second radio communication module 304, and to transmit thereceived data by way of its close range radio communication module 13 tothe actuator's close range radio communication interface 33. The gatewaymodule 303 is implemented as an electronic circuit, e.g. an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

In the following paragraphs, described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7are possible sequences of steps performed by the mobile communicationdevice 2 or its processing unit 20, mobile radio communication module22, and close range radio communication module 23, respectively, formonitoring and managing operation of a plurality of actuators 3, 3′.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, in step S1, the mobile communication device 2enters the communication range of actuator 3 or its close range radiocommunication interface 33, respectively. The actuator 3 is stationaryand the mobile communication device 2 is moved into the communicationrange by its user. In a static scenario, e.g. in locations that are notvisited frequently or regularly by users with mobile communicationdevices 2, a “mobile” communication device 2 is actually installed in afixed or stationary fashion within the communication range of one ormore actuator 3 or its close range radio communication interface 33, inorder to include actuators 3 in such locations in data mining and deviceupdate applications, described below in more detail, without having toconnect these actuators 3 to a wired communication network or toimplement in these actuators a mobile radio communication module fordata communication via a mobile radio communication network such as aWLAN and/or a cellular telephone network. In the static scenario, the“mobile” communication device 2 is connected through a wired orinductive adapter to a power supply. In suitable locations with exposureto daylight, photovoltaic solar cells are connected as a power source.

In step S2, a direct local communication link 43 is established betweenthe mobile communication device 2 and the actuator 3. Specifically, awireless local communication link 43 is established between the closerange communication module 23 of the mobile communication device 2 andthe close range radio communication interface 33 of the actuator 3. Thewireless local communication link 43 is established automatically by theclose range radio communication module 23 when the close range radiocommunication interface 33 of the actuator 3 is located within thecommunication range of the close range radio communication module 23.

In step S3, the processing unit 20 of the mobile communication device 2determines identification information associated with the localcommunication link 43 to the actuator 3. Specifically, the processingunit 20 determines actuator identification information, which identifiesthe actuator 3 associated with the local communication link 43. In anembodiment, the actuator identification information corresponds tointerface identification information which identifies and is stored inthe close range radio communication interface 33 of the actuator 3 or indata store 32, respectively.

In optional step S4, the processing unit 20 shows the identificationinformation 200 associated with the local communication link 43 on thedisplay screen 21 of the mobile communication device 2. Depending on theembodiment, the processing unit 20 shows on the display screen 21 theactuator identification information by displaying the identificationnumber of the actuator 3, a descriptive name of the actuator 3, a visualrepresentation of the actuator 3, a location indication of the actuator3, a building or floor plan including a marking of the actuator 3,and/or a wiring plan including a marking of the actuator 3. Markings ofitems in a building or floor or wiring plan, e.g. an actuator 3, areprovided as highlighted, emphasized, and/or enlarged text, numbers,graphs, and/or areas, for example. The building or floor plan and/or awiring plan is/are stored in the data store 24 of the mobilecommunication device 2, or retrieved from the remote data server 8, e.g.as location-specific data, as will be described below in the context ofstep S5 or S5′, respectively.

In step S5, location-specific data is exchanged between the mobilecommunication device 2 and the remote data server 8. Specifically, theprocessing unit 20 uses the mobile radio communication module 22 of themobile communication device 2 to exchange location-specific data withthe remote data server 8 via the telecommunications network 7,particularly, via the mobile radio communication network and theInternet. The content of the location-specific data depends on theidentification information associated with the local communication link43 to the actuator 3. Specifically, the mobile communication device 2and the remote data server 8 exchange location-specific actuator datawhich is defined by the actuator identification information. In afurther embodiment, the data server 8 identifies the need for a softwareupdate for the actuator 3 based on software release and/or errorinformation retrieved from the actuator 3 or based on a list ofactuators and/or actuator types that need to be updated; subsequently, anew release or update (patch) of program code is transferred from theremote server 8 via the mobile communication device 2 to the actuator 3where it is stored in data store 32 or another data store of theactuator controller 34 or its processor.

The exchange of location-specific data between the mobile communicationdevice 2 and the remote data server 8 includes transferringlocation-specific actuator data form the remote data server 8 via themobile radio communication network 7 to the mobile communication device2, and/or transferring location-specific actuator data from the mobilecommunication device 2 via the mobile radio communication network 7 tothe remote data server 8. As illustrated schematically in FIG. 6, thelocation-specific actuator data is actually exchanged between theactuator 3 and the remote server 8 via the mobile communication device2.

Specifically, the processing unit 20 uses the mobile radio communicationmodule 22 to receive from the remote data server 8 location-specificactuator data via the mobile radio communication network. Subsequently,the processing unit 20 uses the close range communication module 23 totransfer the received location-specific actuator data via the wirelesslocal communication link 43 to the actuator 3 or its close rangecommunication interface 33, respectively. The location-specific actuatordata, transferred from the remote server 8 to the actuator 3, includesprogram code for the actuator 3, a value of altitude, otherconfiguration parameters for the actuator 3, climate data and/or weatherdata. At the actuator 3 or a controller 34 of the actuator 3,respectively, the location-specific actuator data is stored in a datastore for defining further operation of the actuator 3 and/or itscontroller 34. Specifically, the program code controls a processor ofthe actuator 3 or its controller 34, the value of altitude is used toadjust the measurement of an air flow sensor, and further configurationparameters determine the motor speed, a valve or damper closing and/oropening time, a target value of flow, maximum and/or minimum position ofthe actuator or its motor, respectively, etc. The location-specificclimate data and/or weather data is used by the controller 34 of theactuator 3 to control operation of the actuator 3 depending on the localclimate and/or the current local weather in the geographical area wherethe actuator 3 is installed. In an embodiment, the location-specificdata further includes a building or floor plan and/or a wiring plan forthe site 9 and the location of the respective actuator 3. To controlaccess to the actuator 3, the processing unit 20 requests the user toenter a password, particularly, for writing data into the data store 32of the actuator 3. At the actuator 3, access authorization is checkedbased on the password or a cryptographic access key generated by theprocessing unit 20 from the password, as described above.

With regards to using the value of altitude for adjusting themeasurement of an air flow sensor, it shall be explained here that flowsensors that rely on measuring a differential pressure Δp fordetermining the flow {dot over (V)}=c·√{square root over (Δp)}, where cis a constant value, e.g. c=10, are dependent on air density and, thus,altitude. The air density p_(h)[kg/m³] or air pressure p_(h)[hPa],respectively, at a particular altitude h is defined by the internationalbarometric formula

${p_{h} = {{1.2255\mspace{14mu}{{{kg}/m^{3}} \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{6.5 \cdot h}{288\mspace{14mu}{km}}} \right)^{{4.2}55}}\mspace{14mu}{or}\mspace{14mu} p_{h}} = {1013{{hPa} \cdot \left( {1 - \frac{6.5 \cdot h}{288\mspace{14mu}{km}}} \right)^{5.255}}}}},$

respectively. The measurement error for the differential pressure Δpfrom a sensor calibrated for sea level (h=0 m) is approximately 1% forevery 100 m altitude. For example, at 500 m above sea level, themeasured differential pressure Δp_(measured) has an error ofapproximately 5%, i.e. Δp_(measured)=0.95·Δp_(real). Consequently, theerror for the flow {dot over (V)}=c·√{square root over(0.95·Δp)}=c·0.975·√{square root over (Δp)} is approximately 2.5%. Thealtitude value h, received at the actuator 3, 3′ from the remote server8, is used to adjust/correct the measurement of the differentialpressure Δp_(adjusted)=Δp_(measured)=8809/(8809−h) and, thus, the flow{dot over (V)}_(adjusted)=c·√{square root over(Δp_(measured)·8809/(8809−h))} measured by the flow sensor. Adjustingthe differential pressure Δp and/or the flow measurement {dot over (V)}is particularly useful in configurations where the actuator 3, 3′actuates a valve for controlling the size of an orifice and, thus, flowof a fluid, depending on an actual flow measurement measured by a flowsensor.

Moreover, the processing unit 20 uses the close range radiocommunication module 23 to receive (push mode) or retrieve (pull mode)the location-specific actuator data via the wireless local communicationlink 43 from the actuator 3, 3′ or its close range communicationinterface 33, respectively. The processing unit 20 links thelocation-specific actuator data obtained from the actuator with a timestamp that indicates the current time and date. The current time anddate is generated by the mobile communication device 2. In a variant,the current time and date is synchronized by mobile communication device2 or its processing unit 20, respectively, with an external timereference source via the mobile radio communication network 7.Subsequently, the processing unit 20 uses the mobile radio communicationmodule 22 to transfer the received/retrieved and time stampedlocation-specific actuator data via the mobile radio communicationnetwork 7 to the remote server 8. The location-specific actuator datatransferred from the actuator 3 to the remote server 8 includesoperation-related data recorded by the actuator 3 and/or configurationdata stored in the actuator 3. The operation-related actuator dataindicates for the actuator 3 the number of cycles, the number ofmovements, the maximum travel angle, the minimum travel angle, thecurrent position, the maximum position, the minimum position, currentsensor values, a combination of sensor values, the state of an energystorage element of the actuator 3 (e.g. battery charge), a type of valveconnected to the actuator 3, 3′, a Kvs value of the valve, malfunctionor error information of the actuator 3, and/or an altitude value storedfor a flow or pressure sensor connected to the actuator 3, 3′ or itscontroller 34, respectively. The Kvs value expresses in [m³/h] theamount of flow in a regulating valve at a fully-open valve position anda pressure differential of 1 bar. It should be pointed out, that in anembodiment the operation-related actuator data further includesoperation-related actuator data related to another (second) actuator 3′which is transferred to the (first) actuator 3 via a wired or wirelesscommunication link. At the remote server 8, the location-specificactuator data is stored in a database, e.g. assigned to identificationand location information associated with the actuator 3, 3′ and/or thesite 9, as well as a time stamp, for subsequent statistical analysis,correlation analysis, reporting, detection of malfunctioning, etc. Forexample, the location-specific actuator data is analyzed with regards tocorrelation with actuator production information and further locationspecific data, such as climate, weather, humidity, and/or other regionaland/or geographical information. Specifically, based on the time stamplinked to the location-specific actuator data, the remote server 8determines the location-specific actuator data that was received withinthe same time window from a plurality of mobile communication devices 2and/or for different locations. The duration of the time window isdefined depending on the application and data analysis scenario, forexample, the time duration may be 1-5 seconds, 5-60 seconds, 1-5minutes, 5-60 minutes, 1-5 hours, 1-7 days, or 1-6 months. Storing thelocation-specific actuator data linked to respective time stamps makesit possible to analyze the collected actuator data for selectedlocations and time windows. Depending on the application, the locationand time specific analysis may be executed through automated statisticalanalysis or performed by a user “manually”, e.g. by reviewing on adisplay screen actuator data selected and retrieved from the server 8for specific locations and time windows. For example, the user maycompare on the display screen a listing of operation-related actuatordata for actuators 3, 3′ at a specific location, e.g. a room, a floor, abuilding, or several buildings at specific coordinates or an address,for a specific time window, possibly including multiple values for eachof the actuators 3, 3′ along a time line in the time window.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in step S1′, the mobile communication device 2enters the communication range of display terminal 1 or its close rangeradio communication interface 13, respectively. Typically, the displayterminal 1 is stationary, e.g. mounted fixed on a wall, and the mobilecommunication device 2 is moved into the communication range by itsuser.

In step S2′, a local communication link 41 is established between themobile communication device 2 and the display terminal 1. Specifically,a wireless local communication link 41 is established between the closerange communication module 23 of the mobile communication device 2 andthe close range radio communication interface 33 of the display terminal1. The wireless local communication link 41 is established automaticallyby the close range radio communication module 23 when the close rangeradio communication interface 13 of the display terminal 1 is locatedwithin the communication range of the close range radio communicationmodule 23.

In step S3′, the processing unit 20 of the mobile communication device 2determines identification information associated with the localcommunication link 41 to the display terminal 1. Specifically, theprocessing unit 20 determines interface identification information whichidentifies and is stored in the close range radio communicationinterface 13 of the display terminal 1. In an embodiment, the interfaceidentification information corresponds to terminal identificationinformation which identifies the display terminal 1. In an embodiment,the processing unit 20 further retrieves via the local communicationlink 41 actuator identification information which is stored in the datastore 14 of the display terminal 1 and identifies the actuator(s) 3, 3′that are connected to the display terminal 1 via the communication bus5. In an alternative embodiment, the processing unit 20 retrieves theactuator identification information from remote server 8 as locationspecific actuator data, as was described above in the context of stepS5.

In step S4′, the processing unit 20 shows the identification information100 associated with the local communication link 41 on the displayscreen 21 of the mobile communication device 2. Depending on theembodiment, the processing unit 20 shows on the display screen 21 theidentification information 100 by displaying an identification number ofthe display terminal 1, a descriptive name of the display terminal 1, avisual representation of the display terminal 1 (e.g. a photograph,drawing or diagram), a location indication of the display terminal 1, anidentification number of the actuator(s) 3, 3′, a descriptive name ofthe actuator(s) 3, 3′, a visual representation of the actuator(s) 3, 3′,a location indication of the actuator(s) 3, 3′, a building or floor planincluding a marking of the display terminal 1 and the actuator(s) 3, 3′,and/or a wiring plan including a marking of the display terminal 1 andthe actuator(s) 3, 3′. In a further embodiment, this information isfurther displayed on the display screen 11 of the display terminal 1.

In step S5′, the processing unit 20 receives from the user of the mobilecommunication device 2 selection instructions for selecting one of theactuators 3, 3′ connected via the communication bus 5 to the displayterminal 1 and, thus, to the close range radio communication interface13. For example, an actuator 3, 3′ is selected via the building or floorand/or wiring plan displayed on the display 21 and/or display screen 11,e.g. by clicking or double clicking a respective graphicalrepresentation by means of operating elements 25 or a touch screen, etc.Accordingly, the selected actuator 3, 3′ is marked on the building orfloor and/or wiring plan.

In step S6′, an indirect local communication link 41 is establishedbetween the mobile communication device 2 and the selected actuator 3,3′ via the display terminal 1 and the communication bus 5. Specifically,the local communication link 41 is established via the wireless localcommunication link, between the close range communication module 23 ofthe mobile communication device 2 and the close range radiocommunication interface 13 of the display terminal 1, via the displayterminal 1, and via the communication bus 5 to the selected actuator 3,3′.

In step S7′, location-specific data is exchanged between the mobilecommunication device 2 and the remote data server 8, as was describedabove in the context of step S5. In this present case, however, thecontent of the location-specific data depends on the identificationinformation associated with the local communication link 41 to theselected actuator 3, 3′. Specifically, the mobile communication device 2and the remote data server 8 exchange location-specific actuator datawhich is defined by the actuator identification information thatidentifies the selected actuator 3, 3′. As illustrated schematically inFIG. 7, the location-specific actuator data is actually exchangedbetween the selected actuator 3, 3′ and the remote server 8 via thecommunication bus 5, the display terminal 1, and the mobilecommunication device 2.

To control access to the selected actuator 3, 3′, the processing unit10, 20 of the mobile communication device 2 or the display terminal 1,respectively, requests the user to enter a password, particularly, forwriting data into the data store 32 of the actuator 3, 3′. At theactuator 3, 3′, access authorization is checked based on the password ora cryptographic access key generated by the processing unit 10, 20 fromthe password. Preferably, the processing unit 10, 20 is configured toreuse the password and/or cryptographic access key for accessing anyother actuator 3, 3′ on the communication bus 5, so that the user isrequired to enter a password just once to access more than one actuators3, 3′ on the communication bus 5, as described above.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modular HVAC system 130 comprising an actuator 3and a sensor system 110 which are connected via close range radiocommunication interfaces 13, 33 over a direct wireless localcommunication link 45.

The sensor system 110 comprises a close range radio communicationinterface 13 configured to establish a local communication link 45 tothe actuator 3 via a close range radio communication interface 33 thatis connected to the actuator 3 and located in communication range of thesensor system's close range radio communication interface 13. Dependingon the embodiment, the actuator 3 and the sensor system 110 are arrangedin one and the same housing or in separate housings. The sensor system110 comprises one or more of the following sensors 111 for measuringoperational values of the HVAC system 130: a temperature sensor, ahumidity sensor, a pressure sensor for measuring the differentialpressure of a fluid, a flow sensor for measuring the flow of a fluid,e.g. air or water, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor,and/or a smoke detection sensor. The one or more sensors 111 areconnected to the sensor system's close range radio communicationinterface 13, configured to transmit operational values of the HVACsystem 130 measured by the sensors 111 via the local communication link45 to the actuator 3. The actuator 3 comprises a controller 34 connectedto the actuator's close range radio communication interface 33 andconfigured to receive operational values from the sensors 111 via thelocal communication link 45. The actuator 3 comprises a data store 32accessible to the actuator's close range radio communication interface33 and the actuator's controller 34 for reading and/or writing datavalues. The controller 34 is further configured to control operation ofthe actuator's electric motor 30 in accordance with the operationalvalues of the HVAC system 130 received from the sensors 111. Forexample, the controller 34 is configured to control the motor 30 inaccordance with the received operational values to move an actuatedpart, e.g. a valve or a flap, to a defined position for adjusting theopening size of an orifice to control the flow of a fluid, e.g. in apipe. In another embodiment, the sensor system 110 comprises acontroller 112 connected to the sensors 111 and configured to generateactuator control signals in accordance with the measured operationalvalues of the HVAC system 130, and to transmit the actuator controlsignals via the local communication link 45 to the actuator 3. Theactuator 3 is configured to receive the control signals via the localcommunication link 45 and to control operation of the actuator'selectric motor 30 in accordance with the received actuator controlsignals. For example, the actuator 3 is configured to control the motor30 in accordance with the received actuator control signals to move anactuated part as described above to control the flow of a fluid. In anembodiment, the sensor system 110 is arranged in a thermostat and/or aspart of the display terminal 1 described above.

It should be noted that, in the description, the computer program codehas been associated with specific functional modules and the sequence ofthe steps has been presented in a specific order, one skilled in the artwill understand, however, that the computer program code may bestructured differently and that the order of at least some of the stepscould be altered, without deviating from the scope of the invention.

1. A Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC) systemcomprising an actuator and a sensor system, the actuator comprising anelectric motor, a controller connected to the electric motor and a closerange radio communication interface, and the sensor system comprising atleast one sensor, wherein the sensor system further comprises a closerange radio communication interface; the close range radio communicationinterface of the sensor system is connected to the at least one sensorand configured to establish a local wireless communication link to theactuator via the close range radio communication interface of theactuator, and to transmit operational values measured by the at leastone sensor via the local wireless communication link to the actuator;and the controller of the actuator is connected to the close range radiocommunication interface of the actuator and configured to receive theoperational values from the at least one sensor via the local wirelesscommunication link and to control operation of the actuator's electricmotor in accordance with the operational values received from the atleast one sensor.
 2. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the controllerof the actuator is configured to control operation of the actuator'selectric motor in accordance with the operational values, received fromthe at least one sensor, to move an actuated part for adjusting anopening size of an orifice to regulate flow of a fluid.
 3. The HVACsystem of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises a controllerconnected to the at least one sensor and configured to generate actuatorcontrol signals in accordance with the operational values measured bythe at least one sensor, and to transmit the control signals via thelocal wireless communication link to the actuator; and the actuator isconfigured to receive the actuator control signals via the localwireless communication link and to control operation of the electricmotor in accordance with the received actuator control signals.
 4. TheHVAC system of claim 3, wherein the controller of the actuator isconfigured to control operation of the electric motor in accordance withthe received actuator control signals to move an actuated part foradjusting an opening size of an orifice to regulate flow of a fluid. 5.The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises at leastone of: a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor formeasuring a differential pressure of a fluid, a flow sensor formeasuring a flow of a fluid, a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxidesensor, and a smoke detection sensor.
 6. The HVAC system of claim 1,wherein the actuator comprises a data store accessible to the controllerof the actuator and to the close range radio communication interface ofthe actuator for reading and/or writing data values.
 7. The HVAC systemof claim 1, wherein the actuator is connected to a communication bus,and the actuator comprises a data store accessible to the controller ofthe actuator and to the communication bus for reading and/or writingdata values.
 8. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the actuatorcomprises a communication bus interface configured for interconnectionof the actuator via a communication bus to another actuator.
 9. The HVACsystem of claim 6, wherein the actuator comprises a processor configuredto control read and/or write access to the data store.
 10. The HVACsystem claim 7, wherein the actuator comprises a processor configured tocontrol read and/or write access to the data store, and, upon havingchecked a user's access credentials, to pass on a user's accesscredentials to another actuator connected to the communication bus, suchas to enable the user to access the other actuator connected to thecommunication bus, without having to reenter the user's accesscredentials.
 11. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the actuator andthe sensor system are arranged in separate housings.
 12. The HVAC systemof claim 1, wherein the close range radio communication interface of thesensor system and the close range radio communication interface of theactuator comprise at least one of: a Near Field Communication (NFC)module and a Bluetooth communication module, respectively.
 13. The HVACsystem of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is arranged in athermostat.
 14. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the sensor system isarranged as part of a display terminal.
 15. The HVAC system of claim 1,wherein the sensor system and the actuator are both 20 arranged on aparticular site and in close range radio communication, the particularsite being one of: a building, a floor in the building, a room in thebuilding, and a plurality of rooms in the building.
 16. An antennaextension system for an actuator of a Heating, Ventilation, AirConditioning, and Cooling (HVAC) system, the antenna extension systemcomprising: a first radio communication module, configured for nearfield communication (NFC) with the actuator over a direct wirelesscommunication link; a second radio communication module, having agreater communication range than the first radio communication module;and a gateway module comprising an electronic circuit configured tointerconnect the first radio communication module and the second radiocommunication module, to receive data from the actuator over the directwireless communication link via the first radio communication module andtransmit the data received from the actuator via the second radiocommunication module to a mobile communication device, and to receivedata from the mobile communication device via the second radiocommunication module and transmit the data received from the mobilecommunication device via the first radio communication module over thedirect wireless communication link to the actuator.
 17. The antennaextension system of claim 16, wherein the second radio communicationmodule comprises at least one of: a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)radio communication module and Bluetooth radio communication module.